Seven Ponds Nature Center

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110 Seven Ponds Nature Center

wildlife viewing | directions and facility information

Photo: © Phil Seng

Photo: © Phil Seng

This area boasts a diverse mixture of habitat types including glacier-formed lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, prairie, and rolling woodlands. Five miles of hiking trails wind through these habitats. Boardwalks, bridges, and observation towers provide a close look at the wildlife that call these areas home and provide scenic views of the surrounding countryside.

Wildlife Viewing

yellow lady's slippers flower The yellow lady’s slipper is one of Michigan’s most beautiful wildflowers. This delicate orchid often grows in swamps, bogs, or forests with rich soils.
Photo: © Ray Rustem

Because Seven Ponds contains many different kinds of habitats, it is a good place to view wildlife throughout the year. The bird viewing can be especially rewarding, as more than 200 species have been sighted here. The list includes nesting sandhill cranes, bobolinks, bluebirds, tree swallows, and swamp sparrows. There is a good probability of viewing muskrats and beavers in the wetlands and lakes.

Seven Ponds boasts a wonderful variety of wildflowers from spring through fall. In the proper habitat and season, there is an excellent probability of seeing trilliums, yellow lady’s slippers, jack-in-the-pulpits, prairie coneflowers, and gentians. Visit the interpretive building to discover what is currently in bloom.

This facility also has maps, interpretive materials, exhibits, and a nice wildlife viewing/feeding window. Exhibits include a display on Michigan birds with over 150 specimens, an interactive beaver lodge exhibit, live reptiles and amphibians, and an observation honey bee hive. Naturalists are on duty to answer questions and conduct activities. Current program offerings are posted on the nature center’s web site.

The building and grounds are open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Directions

From the Detroit area, take M-53 north past Almont. Turn left onto Dryden Road, and proceed 7 miles to Calkins Road. Turn left onto Calkins and follow signs to the nature center.

Ownership: Michigan Audubon Society/Seven Ponds Nature Center, managed by Seven Ponds Nature Center (810) 796-3200.

Size: 468 acres

Closest Town: Dryden

Weather and Driving Directions for Dryden

Plan Your Trip with travel.michigan.org!

Facilities and Opportunities

Restrooms – Located in the interpretive building.
Trails – Over five miles of easy to moderate walking trails.
Cross-country Skiing – Trails are open to easy to moderate cross-country skiing.
Picnic – A picnic area is located adjacent to the parking area. Advance reservations are not possible. There are no playgrounds.
Visitor Center – The visitor center, or interpretive building, is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Drinking Water – Available in the interpretive building.
Entry Fee – $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children, ages 12 and under.

Additional Information:
Seven Ponds web site

Conservation Efforts: Seven Ponds utilizes a large number of volunteers in stewardship activities at the nature center. Current projects include monitoring nest boxes, managing invasive plant species, and conducting surveys of plants and animals. For additional information on these activities, contact the nature center at 810-796-3200.

Additional natural features in the area: The 145-acre Jonathan Woods Nature Preserve is owned by Seven Ponds and is located four miles by car from the nature center. The preserve is an area of striking hills, ridges, and valleys, a result of the last glacial advance. Habitats include upland hardwoods, swamp forest, leatherleaf bog, and vernal ponds. The preserve is a good place to observe birds, including many species of neotropical migrants such as scarlet tanagers, veeries, wood thrushes, and waterthrushes. Pileated woodpeckers and barred owls are frequently heard in the woods. The vernal ponds provide breeding areas for a number of amphibians, including spotted salamanders, eastern tiger salamanders, blue-spotted salamanders, wood frogs, gray tree frogs, and eastern newts. Information on the preserve can be obtained at the interpretive Building at Seven Ponds Nature Center.

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